Clove is widely grown in Indonesia, Sri-Lanka, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Brazil. It has been used to flavor food products. Clove has also been used to prevent infection and reduce pain, for which it has been approved by the expert panel German Commission E. Clove has been studied for other uses, such as premature ejaculation, fever, and dental pain, but more evidence is needed.

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

GRADE *

Clove essential oil is commonly used for dental pain relief. Eugenol, the active ingredient in clove oil, is commonly used by dentists for its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. Studies report that homemade clove gel may be as effective as benzocaine 20 percent gel. A combination of zinc oxide and eugenol has been used as standard cement or filling in dental work. Although the evidence is promising, further study is needed in this area.

B

Early research reports that a one percent clove oil cream may promote anal fissure healing. Further study is needed before a firm conclusion may be made.

C

Early evidence is promising for the use of clove in relieving symptoms of ascites. However, further studies looking at the use of clove alone are needed before a conclusion may be made.

C

Clove oil may have antibacterial effects that could benefit dental hygiene. Early study looked at the use of clove oil in combination with other agents, but there is conflicting evidence. Further research is needed.

C

Clove oil may help relieve headache. Early study suggests that clove bud oil, in combination with other agents, may decrease headache severity. However, more studies looking at clove oil alone are needed before a conclusion may be made.

C

Eugenol has been studied as an alternative to man-made mosquito repellents. Clove oil has been found to repel multiple species of mosquitoes for up to two hours, but may cause allergic skin reactions. Clove oil combined with other oils, such as geranium oil or thyme oil, has been studied. Further research is needed.

C

Limited study has looked at the use of clove in combination with other herbs for premature ejaculation. Though results are promising, more research is needed on the use of clove alone for this condition.

C

Early evidence suggests that a combination therapy containing eugenol may help relieve symptoms of yeast infection. However, further study on the use of clove alone is needed before a conclusion may be made.

C

* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this useB: Good scientific evidence for this useC: Unclear scientific evidence for this useD: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory
The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

General: Experts say that intake should not exceed 2.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight daily. There is a lack of evidence to support any dose of clove taken by mouth.

For anal fissures, 1 percent clove oil cream has been applied to the skin three times daily for six weeks.

For dental pain, 2 grams of homemade clove gel has been applied to the mouth for four minutes, then reapplied for another minute. Eugenol gauze strip has been applied to the mouth after cleaning.

As a mosquito repellant, 0.1 milliliters of clove oil of different concentrations (5-100 percent) has been applied to 30 square centimeters of exposed skin was used.

Children (younger than 18 years)

There is no proven safe or effective dose for clove in children.

Safety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Allergies

Avoid in people with known allergy or sensitivity to clove, any related species, eugenol, isoeugenol, other parts of clove, balsam of Peru, or carrots.

Allergic nasal symptoms, allergic skin reactions (burning, hives, itching, pain, and rash), asthma, hives, shortness of breath, and swelling of the face and lips have been reported with exposure to clove.

Side Effects and Warnings

Clove is likely safe when taken by mouth in food amounts. Clove is possibly safe when taken by mouth in recommended doses for medical purposes in otherwise healthy adults, and when properly diluted clove oil is applied to the skin.

Clove may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in people with diabetes or low blood sugar, and in those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar. Blood sugar levels may need to be monitored by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, and medication adjustments may be necessary.

Clove may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs or herbs and supplements that lower blood pressure.

Clove may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system.

Use cautiously in people who have autoimmune disorders, dental conditions, and kidney or liver dysfunction; those who are undergoing estrogen therapy; and those trying to have a baby.

Use cautiously in people who are taking agents that affect the immune system.

Avoid in people with known allergy or sensitivity to clove, any related species, eugenol, isoeugenol, other parts of clove, balsam of Peru, or carrots.

Clove may increase the risk of bleeding. Avoid in people with bleeding disorders or those taking drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding. Dosing adjustments may be necessary.

Avoid applying undiluted clove oil to the skin.

Avoid in children and in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

There is a lack of scientific evidence on the use of clove during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Avoid in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Clove may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin«) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix«), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin«, Advil«) or naproxen (Naprosyn«, Aleve«).

Clove may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.

Clove may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be altered in the blood, and may cause altered effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. People using any medications should check the package insert, and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.

Clove may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with herbs and supplements that are believed to increase the risk of bleeding. Multiple cases of bleeding have been reported with the use of Ginkgo biloba, and fewer cases with garlic and saw palmetto. Numerous other agents may theoretically increase the risk of bleeding, although this has not been proven in most cases.

Clove may interfere with the way the body processes certain herbs or supplements using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of other herbs or supplements may be altered in the blood. It may also alter the effects that other herbs or supplements possibly have on the P450 system.

Clove may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using herbs or supplements that may also lower blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may require monitoring, and doses may need adjustment.

Clove may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking herbs or supplements that lower blood pressure.

Clove may also interact with anesthetics, antibacterials, anticancer herbs and supplements, antifungal herbs and supplements, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory herbs and supplements, antioxidants, anti-parasite herbs and supplements, anti-seizure herbs and supplements, antiviral herbs and supplements, cholesterol-lowering herbs and supplements, dental herbs and supplements, fertility herbs and supplements, herbs and supplements for muscle spasms, herbs and supplements for the skin, herbs and supplements for worm infections, herbs and supplements that affect blood vessel width, herbs and supplements that affect the central nervous system, herbs and supplements that affect the immune system, herbs and supplements that are toxic to the kidneys, herbs and supplements that are toxic to the liver, herbs and supplements that cause dental side effects, herbs and supplements that kill insects, pain relievers, phytoestrogens, and tyrosinase inhibitors.

Svedman C, Engfeldt M, Api AM, et al. Does the new standard for eugenol designed to protect against contact sensitization protect those sensitized from elicitation of the reaction? Dermatitis 2012;23(1):32-38.

The information in this monograph is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. Information is based on review of scientific research data, historical practice patterns, and clinical experience. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions.

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